Hello there! I'm TooManyIdeas. Kingdom Hearts fans might know me as Cloudhead-I used to write a lot of KH fic. I've been wanting to write fanfiction again recently, and I love P5 and Akira/Futaba, so when this idea popped into my head, I just couldn't turn it down. I hope you guys enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: Persona 5 belongs to Atlus. I do not stand to profit from this work in any way. This is made out of love for the source material, not with intent to profit.

DEPLOYMENT NOTICE-EFFECTIVE MARCH 5 2018 AT 0600 HOURS

IN COOPERATION WITH US FORCES

TOP SECRET-FOR YOUR EYES ONLY-BURN AFTER READING

Well, that seemed like a bit of responsibility to throw onto someone who had only been in this job for a year. A bit of excitement, too. Akira Kurusu knew that Japan's military-sorry, Self-Defense Force-did not deploy. Well, there was that one time in 2004 when a few hundred guys went to Iraq for two years, but since then, excursions outside Japan had been limited, almost hesitant. There had been lots of mumbling recently about reinterpreting the pacifism thing and whatnot, but it hadn't really bothered Akira. After all, he figured, what were they going to do? Flip off Korea?

He had never considered that any deployment might be secret, though. He read over that stamp on the little yellow envelope in his hands a few times to make sure he was reading it right. Then he sighed, leaning back in the couch he was sitting on. "Of course it'd be secret," he mumbled to himself. "Why wouldn't it be? Less trouble that way."

He opened up the envelope, pulling out a white piece of paper and scanning his eyes over it. No logos, just text.

Unit is being deployed to Shibuya. Two weeks ago, there was an assassination attempt on a high-priority researcher: Isshiki Wakaba. Unit is to perform bodyguard duty for her and her family until further notice. Family/friends are to be informed that deployment is for routine exercises. Report to base for details. BURN THIS DOCUMENT.

That was both less and more exciting than Akira had anticipated. The whole unit to Shibuya for a bodyguard mission, in cooperation with the US? That seemed a bit overkill for one family. Why couldn't the police handle this one? Wouldn't that draw a lot less attention if anyone truly was watching? And why was something so secret and urgent being passed down to him of all people?

On the plus side, Shibuya barely counted as 'deployment' at all. It was only maybe a half-hour away from his house. That meant no being shipped off to go get shot at, which was a relief. This was going to be easy. Maybe that's why I got it, he thought. Even someone fresh out of training could handle this one.

He sighed, going to the closet to go get his uniform. He did wish he had had a little more notice. But what was a man to do?

Just wait. Don't look up, don't talk. It'll be over in a few minutes. Just wait.

Futaba Sakura kept staring at the little 3DS in her hands as the armored car rolled down the street. The RPG being portrayed by the pixels was vapid, cliched and dull. Probably what she got for taking the random hand-me-down from the driver. But dammit, she needed anything to get her head to shut up for a few minutes.

There's no guns outside. They can't shoot us in here. It's bulletproof. Just wait a few minutes.

There was still no information on who the person who had shot at them was, or how they had gotten ahold of a sniper rifle. Or if there was, some not-quite-teen, not-quite-adult girl who still lived with her mom wasn't going to be told about it.

They're hiding things from me. They have to be, have to be.

No, they wouldn't. They're protecting me, too.

Are they protecting me? Really?

Futaba shut her eyes. That line of thought wasn't good for her. No, it wasn't at all. Better just to turn off her brain and try to pretend this game was cute and charming, rather than pandering and annoying,

At least the combat's good.

...Am I allowed to play stuff with fighting like this what if it gets those thoughts back in those thoughts those thoughts those

She clapped the 3DS shut and closed her eyes tight, cupping her face in her hands. "Just wait a few minutes," she whispered to herself, with some frantic fervor. "Just wait a few minutes. Just wait a few minutes. Just wait a few minutes..."

Life never had been the easiest for Futaba on the mental health front. Autism isolated her, made it hard to connect. But autism had been manageable, for the most part. This, whatever it was-PTSD or paranoia, maybe-this was all new for her.

It was just two bangs. Some broken windows. I shouldn't be like this. Weak. You're weak, Futaba, you're weak.

She hated it. She absolutely hated every second of it. Every damn day had become agonizing.

Just wait. Don't look up, don't talk. It'll be over in a few minutes. Just wait.

Just wait. Just wait.

She heard her mother's voice. "Futaba, we're here. Come on."

She looked up. Outside the car was an uninviting condo tower, cold in its design, looking more like a prison than a place where people lived willingly. It loomed over her, casting its shadow seemingly endlessly. It was crushing. It dampened what little joy was in her head.

Just wait. It'll be over in a few years. Just wait. Just wait forever.

This chapter is short because I began writing it very late at night. The next one will be longer. Comments are highly appreciated. Thanks for reading!